Attending formal for the first time in Davenport, IA as a freshman was something I had no idea how to prepare for.            I don’t really enjoy dressing up or putting on makeup, but for this occasion it was well worth the struggle of being a girl.  I put aside the fact that when I wear my four-inch heels, I continuously roll my ankle throughout the night and will feel the pain in the morning. 

I knew I'd have to pretend I didn’t just pig out at the buffet meal in one sitting as I stand up from the dinner table in the tight dress I regrettably wore.  All of these sad, but true elements of looking nice, are well worth the trouble when you get to attend formal.

For those readers who aren't quite sure what formal is or what it consists of, let me help you out. It is a time where classy is taken to a whole new level.  It consists of college students traveling hours away for the guys to dress like Jay Gatsby and the girls to put on their best dresses and heels. After that, the line between classy and college starts to blur.

As soon as cocktail hour begins, our college habits start to kick in. The photo shoots begin even if there is no recollection you are getting your photo taken. You then start to wonder why they aren't serving DP Dough’s as hor d'oeuvres instead of cubed cheese. Then, suddenly the overwhelming feeling of dancing starts to take over. Somehow you become the first person on the dance floor where you know you are about to throw down.

            This is where everyone’s best qualities come out.  We have the guy who challenges everyone to a dance-off, the girl who thinks she just became Beyoncé and then the couples who are glued to the hip that travel about the floor attached at all times.  Then there is the group of people who just float around either watching this crazy mess or partaking in it. This was by far my favorite part of getting to attend formal. I got to witness all three of my brothers dance moves, particularly my oldest brother who continuously challenged me to a dance-off where he just stuck his tongue out and did a spin. It’s pretty safe to say that my family got the short end of the stick when it comes down to dancing.

             It’s sad to think that formal only comes around once a year. And for girls, it may not happen at all unless you get asked.  That’s the depressing part, once you get to experience the college classiness one time, you keep wanting more. Even after the struggles of having to try when you put on your make up, or pretending that you didn't just throw your hair up in a ponytail, it’s all worthwhile in the end because of  the memories you make.

             Although I had one of the best nights thus far in my first year at the University of Illinois, the drive back to Champaign that next day was a bit sad.  This formal would be a first and last big thing my three older brothers and I would do together as college students. A first time for me getting to attend a formal and the last time we would get to all be together in this type of setting for such a fun event. 

             We definitely created some memorable moments, like jumping and dancing to “All the Small Things” by Blink 182 and making sure everyone knew we were the best singers there. There was no doubt that we all kept it classy.  Well, college classy, at least.